This isn't a Game Day Thread, so don't jump all over me for starting a day early. I figure a playoff series deserves a whole thread.

Lohse v Halladay in Game 1. The Birds are the only team to have a winning record against the Phillies this season, is what I read. They were 6-3.

We know the Phillies hold the pitching advantage. But if the Cards pitching can hold the Phillies offense in check, they could make some noise. It's a short series, and if the Cardinals can take at least 1 of the first 2 games in Philly, the pressure then completely falls on the Phillies.

I'm not one for predictions though. Like I posted on Facebook after they clinched the Wild Card spot, anything from here is gravy. I'd at least like to see them win 1 playoff game this go-around.

And hopefully Matt Holliday's nutsack doesn't take such a beating this time around.

You going to be at the game Sat? DaDitka and I will be there tailgating around 4.

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The Cards are in the playoffs. By all accounts, they probably shouldn't be because Atlanta shouldn't have folded up the way they did in September. The Cards are still playing, in spite of being down 2-1, and they beat Roy Halladay. Balls? I don't think so.

glen a richter wrote:The Cards are in the playoffs. By all accounts, they probably shouldn't be because Atlanta shouldn't have folded up the way they did in September. The Cards are still playing, in spite of being down 2-1, and they beat Roy Halladay. Balls? I don't think so.

So you weren't bummed when the Blues were swept in '08-'09?

Do I think the Cards will win? No. But tonight was a winnable game. I've said that everything after they made the postseason was gravy. But I can still cheer for a win. Cardinals could have and probably should have won that game tonight. Too many men left on base.

Hopefully Don Tony won't let it rest on his bat like he did Garcia's yesterday. He was the final out 3 times and left 5 men on base. He has never gone deep into games I think not pinch hitting for him the last time with 2 on was a mistake. IMO.

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Hopefully Don Tony won't let it rest on his bat like he did Garcia's yesterday. He was the final out 3 times and left 5 men on base. He has never gone deep into games I think not pinch hitting for him the last time with 2 on was a mistake. IMO.

I think I'm in the minority, but I liked TLR's decision there. The decision I hated from the second he made it was walking Ruiz. At the least, they should have just pitched around him to see if he would chase something and get himself out.

I know that Jaime frequently only goes ~6 innings, but that's mainly because he isn't efficient with his pitch count. Yesterday, he was on his game and had a relatively low PC. So, I think trying to get another inning (or more) out of him is better than going to the bullpen.

Hopefully Don Tony won't let it rest on his bat like he did Garcia's yesterday. He was the final out 3 times and left 5 men on base. He has never gone deep into games I think not pinch hitting for him the last time with 2 on was a mistake. IMO.

glen a richter wrote:The Cards are in the playoffs. By all accounts, they probably shouldn't be because Atlanta shouldn't have folded up the way they did in September. The Cards are still playing, in spite of being down 2-1, and they beat Roy Halladay. Balls? I don't think so.

So you weren't bummed when the Blues were swept in '08-'09?

Do I think the Cards will win? No. But tonight was a winnable game. I've said that everything after they made the postseason was gravy. But I can still cheer for a win. Cardinals could have and probably should have won that game tonight. Too many men left on base.

By my count, the Cards are still in it. Of course I was bummed when the Blues were swept. The Cards have neither been swept nor eliminated yet.